Her short red dress clung tightly to her body as her charming smile and vigorous wave tried to draw customers into the bar. Tall and thin, the Thai woman grabbed the hand of the man and brought him into “Full Moon.” As we got closer she repeated the process with us.I looked into her eyes and smiled, carefully studying the lines that were desperately coated in makeup to hide her age.
When we introduced ourselves, she squealed with joy and gave us a huge hug. “I have American friends!” We sat down with her, bought her a drink so she would stick around, and watched her proudly scroll through her phone showing us photos of what looked like previous Racers that she had met before. Continuing on in her story, with very broken English, she spoke of her daughter, her friends, and her past.
To my surprise, conversation flowed easily and we laughed over Connect Four and Jenga. Once again, like my time in Costa Rica, it felt like making a new friend. A couple guys interrupted our game, but she waved them off. I was rejoicing that although it may only be for one night, she was able to rest at our side rather than entertain strangers. And when it was time to leave, the hugs and goodbyes were terribly painful.
Every day, all across Thailand, women are imprisoned in sex-trafficking. Due to extreme poverty, young girls may be tricked into selling themselves, believing that a stranger will lead them to a good job in the city. Others are sold by their families in hopes that their work will provide money to feed the family. The vicious cycle continues as more girls desperately seek a way to survive and end up trapped in prostitution. The statistics are horrific, but seeing it first hand completely wrecks your heart. I could not dare to imagine the way the Father’s heart breaks for His daughters, who have come to believe the lie that this is the only way to live.
And yet, we point fingers, we judge, we accuse, and we easily write off the women who “get what they deserve for selling themselves.” There was a time when I did the same– before I knew the whole story or sought to understand what lay at the root of the issue. Even still, after opening the book of Hosea with my team, I understood a very real fact: I, too, am a prostitute.
“A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God.” — Hosea 4:12
“A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the Lord.” — Hosea 5:4
The Father’s love for His children is deep, unwavering, everlasting, and personal. We cannot begin to fathom the way in which He loves us; there is nothing else like it that compares. And yet, much like the nation of Israel in Hosea, we desert God for the trappings of this world.
This can look different in each of our lives. We may be caught up in lying, drunkenness, or cheating. Or maybe it’s a slightly less noticeable as unforgiveness or pride rules your life. Even less noticeable, maybe it’s a disorganized priority list. Whether it’s money, careers, relationships, or material goods, when we make an idol of anything before Christ, we desert Him. The Bride has left her Bridegroom and given herself over to someone else.
Throughout different seasons of my life, Christ has taken second, or maybe more honestly fifth or sixth place on my priority list. And like most single 20-somethings, the most recent focus was marriage and family. While not innately bad things, my thoughts, prayers, and mind were often consumed with who is “the One” and how I could manipulate situations in order to get a ring on my finger quickly. And all the while, still hoping that God would honor and bless me with a marital relationship, when I was not spending time or growing in relationship with Him. I had turned marriage into an idol. I subconsciously believed the Enemy’s lies that marriage would solve my feelings of loneliness and unworthiness, and that once married I would have everything I “needed.”
However, I did not think about the Lord’s unconditional love for me, or how my worth comes from Him alone. I had left my Savior in search of something else. The tragic part of it all is that this occurred while still attending church, studying Scripture, and being dedicated to prayer. From the outside, it looked as though I was clinging to Christ, all the while my heart, soul, and mind were not truly seeking Him.
“A spirit of prostitution was in [my] heart; [I did] not acknowledge the Lord.”
Thankfully, Hosea doesn’t end with condemnation and the story of the Gospel reigns. There is hope as Chapter 14 comes into full view:
“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God! Your sins have been your downfall! Take words with you and return to the Lord.Say to him: ‘Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously that we may offer the fruit of your lips.” — Hosea 14:1-2
The Lord wants us to return to Him! Even in our unfaithfulness to Him– our desire for the things of this world and our fickle nature relentlessly drawing us to and from Him– He wants us! He not only welcomes us back to Him, but intentionally pursues after our hearts.
We are promised restoration with our Father.
“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.” — Hosea 14:4
Though we may stumble, and will continue to do so, we never have to sit in shame and isolation. The Lord makes it clear time after time, throughout the pages of His Word, that He desires deep intimacy with us, despite our flaws. After all, it’s those flaws that allow us to boast in His strength and mighty love. It’s time for the Unfaithful to return to the Faithful Bridegroom who rejoices over knowing and loving us deeply.
